Retired optometrist suing Gwyneth Paltrow for ‘smashing into him’ on a ski-slope is due to give evidence in court today before star’s children Moses and Apple are also called to the stand
- Paltrow is countersuing Sanderson, alleging he crashed into her from behind
- Her attorneys are expected to call Moses and Apple Martin for evidence today
The man suing Gwyneth Paltrow for allegedly crashing into him on a ski-slope in 2016 is expected to take the stand today as the closely-watched trial goes into its second week in Utah.
Attorneys said Friday that retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, would likely testify first on Monday, before Paltrow’s defense team make their case.
Paltrow’s attorneys are expected to call her two children – Moses and Apple, 16 and 18 respectively – and a ski instructor who was present the day of the collision.
Sanderson is suing for more than $300,000, claiming Paltrow skied recklessly into him from behind on a beginner slope at the Deer Valley Resort on 26 February 2016, breaking four of his ribs and leaving him with head trauma.
The actress, 50, has countersued for $1 and attorney fees, alleging Sanderson was at fault and veered into her from behind.
Gwyneth Paltrow testifies during her trial on March 24, 2023, in Park City, Utah. The actress and Goop CEO has been the focus of a $300,000 lawsuit after she allegedly crashed into Sanderson in February 2016. Paltrow is countersuing for $1 plus legal fees
Gwyneth Paltrow (C)’s attorneys are expected to call daughter Apple Martin (L) and son Moses Martin (R) to give evidence on Monday
Terry Sanderson, center, the Utah man suing Gwyneth Paltrow, appears in court during her testimony, in Park City, Utah, U.S., March 24, 2023. He is suing Paltrow over a 2016 crash
After Paltrow testified Friday that the collision began when Sanderson’s skis veered between her two legs, attorneys will likely question Sanderson on his recollections.
READ MORE: ‘Well, we lost half a day of skiing’: Gwyneth Paltrow is roasted by Busy Philipps and many more as the internet goes wild over THAT viral quote from ski crash trial
Craig Ramon, the sole eyewitness of the crash, testified that he heard a loud scream and saw Paltrow hit Sanderson, causing his skis to fly up into the air before he plummeted down on the beginner run in a “spread eagle” position.
Attorneys will also likely question Sanderson on the post-concussion symptoms that medical experts and his doctors testified about last week.
He claims that head trauma caused by the crash later developed into post-concussion syndrome.
During proceedings on Thursday, the plaintiff’s daughter, Polly Sanderson-Grasham, said her father had been ‘outgoing and engaged’ before the crash, but now gets ‘agitated’ and is ‘easily frustrated’.
Medical experts meanwhile told the Utah court that Sanderson was ‘obsessed’ with the 2016 accident, left with significant physical and emotional challenges from the collision.
Paltrow’s attorneys are expected to ask about his references to Paltrow’s fame and whether the lawsuit amounts to an attempt to exploit it.
Though the courtroom in Park City, Utah, was far from full throughout the first week of the trial, the case has emerged as the most closely watched celebrity trial since Johnny Depp took Amber Heard to court almost a year ago in Virginia.
Clips of attorney outbursts and Paltrow’s Friday testimony have been cut and circulated widely on social media, while observers have debated the motivations on both sides to sustain the prolonged legal battle seven years after the collision.
On Thursday, the story again made headlines as the judge denied an offer from Paltrow’s attorneys to bring in ‘treats’ for the bailiffs after Sanderson’s attorneys objected.
The amount of money at stake for both sides pales in comparison to the typical legal costs of a multiyear lawsuit, private security detail and expert witness-heavy trial.
Paltrow (C) walks past Terry Sanderson (gray blazer), the man suing her, after testifying in court on Friday, March 24, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Sanderson accuses her of crashing into him on a beginner run at Deer Valley Resort, leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs
Terry Sanderson, the Utah man suing Gwyneth Paltrow, leaves the courtroom following her testimony
Medical witnesses have said that Sanderson’s injuries were consistent with impact from behind.
Dr Richard Boehme told the court that the account was ‘the most probable’ due to where his rib fracture fell.
Paltrow meanwhile claims that she ‘was not engaging in any risk behaviour’ on the day of the crash and maintains that Sanderson skied into her from behind.
Paltrow contested the testimony of Craig Ramon, an acquaintance of Sanderson who said he saw the actress collide with the optometrist.
‘I don’t believe that he saw what he thinks he saw… I can tell you that he didn’t because Mr Sanderson categorically hit me on the ski slope.’
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